Iceland Health (Sjúkratryggingar) is changing how assistive device services are organised, with the aim of simplifying processes, shortening waiting times and improving service to users. With fewer intermediaries, greater involvement of healthcare professionals and a clearer division of responsibilities, the service will be brought closer to users. The changes will not result in increased costs for users.

The changes are part of the agency's policy of providing simpler, more efficient and more user-centred services. The emphasis is on reducing the number of parties people need to approach for assistive devices, and on making applications, delivery, repairs and replacement faster.

At the same time, the agency's core role as a contracting and payment body is being clarified and strengthened. The agency will increasingly focus on safeguarding users' rights, cost participation, service quality and the efficient use of shared public funds, rather than directly handling the administration and operation of assistive devices itself.

Main Changes to Assistive Device Services

Expanded authority for healthcare professionals to allocate devices. About 300 healthcare professionals are now authorised to process applications for certain assistive devices without the involvement of Iceland Health staff. This arrangement has worked well, and it is planned to extend the authorisations to more types of assistive devices. This means more applications can be processed directly by the professionals who understand users' needs, in accordance with regulations.

Simpler and faster delivery of assistive devices. The system of so-called external warehouses will be strengthened. Under it, certain assistive devices are delivered directly from suppliers to healthcare institutions without first passing through Iceland Health. With simpler administration and fewer intermediaries, the aim is faster delivery to users.

More efficient application processing and greater automation. Application procedures will be simplified so that less time is spent reviewing simpler cases and more emphasis is placed on more complex and costly applications. In addition, spot checks will be introduced to ensure that allocations comply with current rules.
The electronic application processes in the Iceland Health data portal (Gagnagátt) will also be improved and automation increased. The goal is for applications to arrive more completely filled in, reduce manual work and speed up processing.

Repairs and reuse move to suppliers. One of the biggest changes is a new arrangement for workshop services. Iceland Health has decided to discontinue its own workshop operations at the Assistive Devices Centre (Hjálpartækjamiðstöð) and instead contract with suppliers to carry out these tasks. Suppliers will handle both repairs of assistive devices and refurbishment of devices returned by users. The aim is to reduce the number of intermediaries, simplify communication and shorten lines of communication so that repairs and replacement of assistive devices happen faster.

Reuse of Assistive Devices Ensured

Agreements have already been concluded with companies that will handle the reuse of the vast majority of assistive devices. Work is also under way on agreements with more suppliers for reuse. In the future, the aim is for reuse to increasingly form part of Iceland Health's contracts with suppliers, where appropriate. This promotes the continued use of assistive devices, more economical operation and responsible use of public funds, without compromising safety and quality requirements. Reuse of assistive devices will therefore remain an important part of the service. In addition, the return rules will be reviewed, partly in light of increased safety requirements. The tasks are expected to move to suppliers over the coming months. While the transition is under way, assistive devices will continue to be accepted under the current arrangement.

Changes to the Operations of the Assistive Devices Centre

The changes to the workshop arrangements affect seven full-time equivalent positions, which is all the staff of the Assistive Devices Centre. The positions involved in the tasks being transferred to suppliers will be discontinued at Iceland Health.

Clearer Responsibility and Better Service

The changes are in line with Iceland Health's policy of strengthening the agency's role as a contracting and payment body and making better use of the knowledge and service capacity available among healthcare professionals and suppliers.
They also align with the priorities in the Ministry of Health's report on assistive device matters from January 2026, which emphasises, among other things, improved access, clearer responsibility, consistent procedures and more efficient use of funds.

The goal is for users to receive the assistive devices and services they need in a simpler and quicker way, at no additional cost.

Q&A regarding this change